Feedback for data transmissions

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are presented for dynamically controlling the re-transmission scheme of acknowledgment signals. A source transmits a first data packet over a slot s 1 . If channel conditions are favorable, source transmits a second data packet over slot s 2 , which precedes the reception of any acknowledgment signals. A destination receives first data packet over slot d 1 and second data packet over slot d 2 . Destination decodes first data packet during slots d 2 and d 3 , and second data packet over slots d 3 and d 4 . Destination transmits an acknowledgment signal (ACK 1 ) associated with first data packet during slot d 4 . Rather then transmitting the second ACK 1 associated with first data packet over slot d 5 , destination preempts this slot with an acknowledgment signal ACK 2, which is associated with second data packet transmitted by source. Hence, destination is configured to overwrite the repetition of a previous acknowledgment in order to transmit a new acknowledgment.

1. An apparatus at a source for dynamically controlling acknowledgment re-transmissions from a destination, comprising:
 at least one memory element; and 
 at least one processing element configured to execute a set of instructions stored within the at least one memory element, the set of instructions for:
 determining a quality measure of at least one received acknowledgment signal; and 
 using the quality measure to determine a packet transmission pace, wherein the packet transmission pace is for forcing the destination to overwrite a re-transmission of an old acknowledgment signal with a new acknowledgment signal. 
 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the quality measure is an accumulated energy per bit to noise ratio of the at least one received acknowledgment signal. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the accumulated energy per bit to noise ratio is based upon an accumulated signal to noise ratio of a pilot channel. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the quality measure is a determination as to the number of successfully decoded acknowledgment signals within a time period. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the determining the quality measure includes determining stability of a feedback link, wherein the feedback link includes communication of the acknowledgement signal. 
   
   
     6. A method at a source for dynamically controlling acknowledgment re-transmissions from a destination, comprising:
 determining a quality measure of at least one received acknowledgment signal; and 
 using the quality measure to determine a packer transmission pace, wherein the packet transmission pace is for forcing the destination to overwrite a re-transmission of an old acknowledgment signal with a new acknowledgment signal. 
 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the quality measure is an accumulated energy per bit to noise ratio of the at least one received acknowledgment signal. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the accumulated energy per bit to noise ratio is based upon an accumulated signal to noise ratio of a pilot channel. 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the quality measure is a determination as to the number of successfully decoded acknowledgment signals within a time period. 
   
   
     10. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the determining the quality measure includes determining stability of a feedback link, wherein the feedback link includes communication of the acknowledgment signal. 
   
   
     11. An apparatus at a source for controlling acknowledgment re-transmissions from a destination, comprising:
 means for determining a quality measure of at least one received acknowledgment signal; and 
 means for using the quality measure to determine a packet transmission pace, wherein the packet transmission pace is for forcing the destination to overwrite a re-transmission of an old acknowledgment signal with a new acknowledgment signal. 
 
   
   
     12. A method for allowing a source to dynamically control an acknowledgment signal re-transmission scheme of a destination, comprising:
 determining a channel condition of a feedback link from the destination; and 
 setting a packet transmission pace in accordance with the determined channel condition, wherein setting the packet transmission pace is for overwriting an already decided re-transmission scheme of the destination.